Hand truck



A13141730, 1940- E. J. MERCIL 2,198,918

HAND TRUCK Filed Aug. 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

13 HmerJ/ /ercd,

ATTORNEY.

April 30, 1940- I I E. J. MERCIL 2,198,918

HAND rnqcx Filed Aug. 7, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I II 1N VENTOR.

Elzner J/VercLZ, *Zif ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 30, 1940 PATENT- OFFICE,

HAND TRUCK Elmer J. Mercil, Oak Park, 111., assignor to Mercil Plating Equipment Company, Chicago, 111., a

corporation of'lllinois Application August 7, 1939, Serial No. 288,744

Claims.

My invention relates to trucks of a type intended for use by a single person in handling and conveying heavy barrels, boxes, and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide simple 5 apparatus adapted for the described use, the

mechanism being constructed to provide for ad-' justment to compensate for Varying loads that are tobe handled. Normally in hand trucks of this character, the operating arms extend vertically when the feet are projected beneath the barrel or case. Thus, in order to lift the load sufficiently to enable it to be tilted into position where it is entirely supported by the truck, a force must be exerted on the operating arms in a nearly horizontal direction, and accordingly the weight of the operator is of little value in exerting the required force. If, however, the arms are angularly repositioned even to the extent of 30 or 40, the component of the lifting force may be go directed largely downwardly, thus increasing the effectiveness of the operator in handling large loads.

In order to accomplish this desirable result, I provide a secondary frame which carries the 35 operating arms, this secondary frame being angularly movable relative to thetruck frame and by the use of simple mechanism located in a desired angular position.

The invention will be more readily understood 30 by reference to the accompanying drawings, in

which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a hand truck constructed in accordance with my invention, the movable part'of the apparatus being shown in 35 an adjusted position in dotted lines Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device with parts in the position shown in Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 3 is a similar view with thebolt actuating means shown in retracted position.

. In the .drawings, it will be seen that I provide a truck frame having feet l0, each provided with a tapered reinforcing flange II, the feet being secured by bolts l2 to side frames l3. The respective side frames are joined by a transverse rod l4 and by a. shaft or axle l5. On the overhung ends of the shaft are, mounted the truck wheels 16. The side frame members l3 are provided with a series of angularly arranged openings H for engagement by the bolts or detents 5 later to be described.

Mounted within the truck frame is a secondary frame comprising side members l'8 pivotally supported on the wheel shaft I5, the respective side members being joined by transverse rods l9 and u 20. The side members l8 provide sockets within which the lower ends of the operating arms 2| are seated, the arms being removably held in the sockets by means of the screws 22.

Mounted in suitable openings provided in the side members I8 are a pair of bolts 23 which 5 project oppositely from a sleeve 25, a compression spring 26 acting against the respective ends of the bolts that are confined within the sleeve. Secured to the bolts at a point intermediate their ends by means of pins 21, are lugs 28, the outer 10 faces of Which'are inclined as shown for engagement by the long legs 29 of a bell crank. The bell crank is pivoted for oscillation on bolts 30 mounted in a cross piece 3| connected at its ends to the side members IS. The short legs 3| of the 15 bell cranks are connected to a pair of links 32, 33 joined at 34, the floating links 33 being extended to provide a treadle 35 for engagement by the foot of the operator. 7

With the parts in the full line position of Fig. 1, if the workman wishes to transport a heavy object which he finds difficult to lift, he may step on the treadle 35, thereby withdrawing the bolts 23 from one of the openings ll thereby permitting the rotation of the arms and their supporta ing frame into the dotted. line position of Fig. 1, in which position the bolts will enter the recess to the extreme left as shown in Fig. 1. In this position a much greater force may be-exerted by the workman than would be possible with the arms in their vertical position. An intermediate position is indicated by the dot-and-dash center line shown in Fig. 1.

A truck constructed as described will be found useful and adaptable for transporting and handling objects of varying weights and the mechanism for accomplishing the result is simple and economically constructed.

I claim:

1. In a hand truck, the combination of a 40 wheeled truck frame and a wheel-supporting I shaft therein, a secondary frame pivoted for rotation about the wheel shaft as a center, an opmeans operable by a single member for simul- 1 taneously retracting both of said detents.

4. In a hand truck, the combination of a frame and a wheel shaft carried thereby, a pair of operating arms, support members providing sockets for said arms mounted on and adapted for rotation about said Wheel shaft, a pair of slidable bolts carried by the respective support members and oppositely movable to engage recesses in the frame members, bell cranks cooperating with said bolts, and a toggle for simultaneously actuating both of said bell cranks.

5. In a hand truck, the combination of a frame and a wheel shaft carried thereby, a pair of operating arms, support members for said arms mounted on and adapted for rotation about said wheel shaft, a pair of slidable bolts carried by the respective support members and oppositely movable to engage recesses in the framemembers, bell cranks cooperating with said bolts, and a floating treadle and link constituting a toggle for reversely'actuating said bell cranks. I

ELMER J. MERCIL. 

